While the Houston Texans have locked up one of their two interior defensive linemen this offseason, another one is set to hit the open market in D.J. Reader.
On March 18 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time, when the new league year begins, Reader becomes an unrestricted free agent and can negotiate with any team he pleases.
No other team knows how impactful Reader can be than Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel, who was the Texans’ defensive coordinator in 2017 and predated Reader’s 2016 arrival as a fifth-round pick from Clemson by two seasons.
Don’t be surprised if the Titans make a run at Reader. Tennessee has a defensive tackle of their own hitting free agency in Austin Johnson. If the Texans wanted to upgrade, they could go with Reader.
“I was lucky to have coached [Reader], been a part of the coaching staff,” Vrabel told the Houston media on a conference call on Dec. 11, 2019. “I think [Reader is] playing at a high level, I would say a Pro Bowl level.
“D.J. has continued to improve his pass rush, his ability to affect the passer. He’s a great run defender, his technique is always very good.”
Reader would finish the season with 52 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks in his 15 games for Houston.
Reader can be ‘a solid force’ for the Titans
When Reader was in his second year with the Texans in 2017, Houston was preparing for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 8. Reader had produced 23 tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack in his seven games. Against the Cleveland Browns the week prior, the first game without defensive end J.J. Watt, Reader produced five tackles, two for loss, and 1.0 sack.
“I really like where D.J.’s at,” Vrabel said. “I think he’s a solid force inside, good pad level, good explosion, good hands, good technique. You’ve got to do a good job if you want to block him. He’s playing square in the run game. So, I like his physicalness.”
As a second-year player, Vrabel stated that he thought Reader understood “his importance to our defense,” indicating that exceptional interior play from Reader allowed their defense to be stout in the trenches.
The Titans have advantageous salary cap space in 2020 with approximately $50.0 million, the 12th-most in the NFL. The Texans have the ninth-most at $61.3 million. If Houston lets Reader get away, the Titans would have enough to cash to keep him in the AFC South.
